Top 10 eCommerce Courier Services Provider Companies in the World

1. Introduction to Courier Companies

The way online shopping has taken over the way we shop has only been possible because of the courier service provider companies of the world. Courier companies and delivery agents stay on the ground and do most of the legwork to ensure that customers get their orders on time. In fact, the success of an online business is greatly dependent on the kind of courier company it partners with.

In today's globalized economy, businesses are increasingly looking to outsource their logistics and courier needs in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Since shipping is such a huge chunk of any successful online business, it’s important that you hire the right courier company for it. But it’s easier said than done.

There are many courier service providers around the world, but which one is best for your needs? After all, the rise of ecommerce has flooded the market with courier companies offering attractive shipping and delivery management services to online retailers.

To help you tease out the best of the best we have made a heavily researched list of the best courier companies in the world for ecommerce shipping. We will find out more about that in a little bit but first let’s find out all the ways a courier company can help an online business.

2. What is the Importance of Courier Companies in the Ecommerce Shipping World?

Do you know that fairytale about Cinderella where the mice bring the pumpkin chariot and ride her to the Prince’s palace? Well, courier companies are like those wonderful mice that helped Cinderella reach her dream without ever featuring much in the storyline.

What we mean is that courier companies essentially work in the shadows. They are rarely seen doing all the magic shipping work they do even when they manage the shipping operations of large ecommerce enterprises. Courier companies can truly make or break the reputation of an online business.

As soon as the order leaves the seller’s warehouse, it becomes the sole responsibility of the courier company. Yes, many online sellers may choose to have an in-house logistics team oversee the shipping operations. However, it’s good to mention that against popular belief, outsourcing shipping logistics to third-party courier companies (3PLs) is actually more cost-effective than running an in-house team.

Moreover, it may still be feasible to house a logistics arm in your ecommerce company when you are still an upcoming business with fewer order numbers. However, as the scale of your operations increase and you start receiving larger monthly order volumes, managing shipping on your own can become frustrating, time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies. This is where eCommerce courier companies can come in and save the day.

3. Top 10 Best Courier Companies in the World for Online eCommerce Businesses (Fastest and Cheapest) [2022 Updated List]

Courier companies can help ecommerce businesses in several ways by looking after end-to-end shipping logistics. This includes packaging, label printing, pickup and drop off, transportation, providing order updates and finally delivering the courier to the customer.

Many courier partners also offer many added services such as warehousing, inventory management, shipment and delivery management and tons of other helpful features. Here’s our list of the top courier companies in the world based on factors such as cost, quality of service, and geographical reach. These courier service providers will help you manage your online business and shipping.

3.1) FedEx Courier Company

FedEx is one of the biggest courier companies in the world offering supply chain management and parcel delivery services. It is headquartered in Tennessee, USA and offers air-drop and time-sensitive deliveries to over 220 countries in the world. FedEx has also recently started last-mile delivery operations to tackle last-mile delivery challenges.

Key Features:

-FedEx offers a bunch of specialised and expedited shipping services like Overnight Shipping, Same-Day Delivery, 2 Day delivery, 3 Day delivery and more. 

-Get access to real-time shipment tracking on the FedEx mobile app or website. Customers can also enter multiple tracking numbers to see the delivery estimate of various orders.

-Returning an order is easy with FedEx’s drop-off facility. Shoppers can print shipping labels or use the ones that came with their order for returning an item.

3.2) UPS Courier Service Company

UPS is a world-renowned courier company that offers comprehensive logistics and courier delivery services to ecommerce shippers. It is based out of Georgia, USA and has courier operations in 220+ countries and regions all over the world. UPS offers contract logistics services and comprehensive warehousing solutions to online companies.

Key Features:

-Schedule a pickup from your desired location by filling out a simple form on the UPS website and track the status of your pickup right on the screen.

-UPS provides a remarkable shipping rate calculator on their website that you can use to find an estimate for shipping cost. 

-Avail the UPS My Choice business solution for total transparency on all your incoming and outgoing packages and monitor shipping performance.

3.3) ZTO Express Courier Company

ZTO Express is a leading name in the ecommerce courier and express delivery industry. It is based out of Shanghai, China and provides courier delivery to Europe and North and South America in 5-8 days and 8-10 days, respectively. It is equipped to transport a variety of different materials like cosmetics, lithium batteries, electronic gadgets and appliances, etc. For international couriers, ZTO Express can clear customs and make duty-free doorstep deliveries.

Key Features:

-ZTO Express provides cost-efficient door to door delivery of various goods like lithium batteries, electronic parts, kitchen appliances, textiles, LED products, e-watches and much more.

-It handles all customs clearance and duties on behalf of clients on both domestic and international shipping like tariff DDP, prepaid VAT, etc.

-ZTO Express provides rapid mail services for packages weighing up to 1g. It delivers shipments to 45 countries in the world.

3.4) Blue Dart eCommerce Courier Partner in the World

Blue Dart is a logistics and courier company that specialises in express delivery and temperature-controlled fleet delivery. Blue Dart is headquartered in Mumbai, India and has operations in 220+ countries across the globe. Blue Dart offers a feature called Smart Box that provides ecommerce companies boxes to fit in shipments of 10 to 25kgs for doorstep delivery. Being a subsidiary of DHL, Blue Dart also provides superior insurance plans on high value items.

Key Features:

-Blue Dart provides specialised delivery vehicles for temperature controlled shipping within 20°C to 2°C for various supply chain and validated temperature packaging solutions.

-Blue provides urgent delivery of international shipments containing documents and other necessary items. 

-All domestic and international packages can be tracked from the Blue Dart website in real-time. Customers also receive order tracking notifications on their phones and emails.

-Entrepreneurs can also use Blue Dart to buy their packaging materials like boxes of various sizes.

3.5) Deutsche Post AG Courier Company in the World

Deutsche Post is a global multinational courier and logistics company with deep network distribution networks all over the world. It is based out of Bonn, Germany and services many locations throughout the world with its vast network of warehouse and storage facilities.

Deutsche Post also has an extensive network of post offices throughout Germany for delivery of parcels and mails. Its subsidiary DHL is fully invested in making ecommerce shipping better for online shoppers and online retailers.

Key Features:

-Deutsche Post delivers domestic and international mail. Through its subsidiary organisation DHL, it provides comprehensive contract logistics and other fulfillment services.

-Businesses can ship parcels or documents as well as heavy cargo via DHL all around the world. 

-This courier service provider allows clients and shoppers to track their orders in real-time through the DHL website and app.

-Warehouse and inventory management services can also be availed for shipments across the globe at various fulfillment centers for faster delivery.

3.6) DB Schenker Courier Firm in the World for eCommerce

DB Schenker is a global leader in contract logistics and courier delivery. DB Schenker is a part of Deutsche Bahn AG and has its headquarters in Essen, Germany. It specialises in land, air and sea transport and is the largest courier company for sea transport. It operates in 130+ countries and has a massive 8.8 million sq.m warehouse area in 50 countries.

Key Features:

-DB Schenker provides lead logistics services in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. It includes 4PL, LLP, freight transportation and overall supply chain management solutions.

-DB Schenker has fulfillment centers in over 850 locations in the world and massive warehouse space. In contract logistics, this courier service provider company offers returns management, after-sales services and end-to-end logistics services.

-DB Schenker helps move shipments through land transport like rail and trucks. It provides both FTL (Full truckload) and LTL (Less-than-truckload) services.

3.7) DTDC Courier Partner in the World

Desk to Desk Courier and Cargo, better known as DTDC is a famous courier company providing end-to-end logistics support to e-commerce companies worldwide. It is based out of Bangalore, India and delivers to 250+ locations worldwide. DTDC provides cross border delivery and last mile delivery services to online businesses. It also offers warehousing, inventory management and order fulfillment services. 

Key Features:

-DTDC provides Express (mail and documents) and Cargo Services (large commercial packages) in its international shipping segment.

- It also allows Cash on Delivery on certain international orders. DTDC offers both DDP and DDU tariff options for clients.

-It can manage the entire supply chain for companies including warehousing, air and surface freight forwarding, FTL and bulk services.

-It also offers various packaging solutions of various sizes and capacities - Flat box, Self sticking box, Ply box, etc.

-Approximate shipping rates can be calculated at the DTDC website by entering volumetric dimensions and destination of the package.

3.8) S F Express Courier Company-in the World

S F Express or S F Holding is a Chinese multinational supply chain management and courier company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It provides domestic and international express delivery services to online retailers along with real-time order tracking features. It also operates warehouses that can hold ecommerce orders and ship them directly to hasten delivery. It is the 4th largest courier company in the world in terms of market share.

Key Features:

-SF Express offers Regular Mail, Batch Mail and Extra Heavy Shipping (items weighing more than 20kgs in total) services across China and around the world.

-It provides time-definite same day delivery across the globe with real-time order tracking facilities. SF Express can also pick up orders from drop locations.

-This courier service provider company also offers a ton of value-added services like Cash on Delivery, Shipment Insurance, Special Warehousing, On Demand Delivery, Loading/Unloading, Assembly and Installation and much more.

3.9) Royal Mail Courier Firm in the World

Royal Mail is a UK-based postal service and courier company that operates out of London. It provides same-day delivery of couriers and posts within the UK. It also provides Guaranteed Special Delivery within 9 am and 1 pm for domestic addresses.

All international shipments must be within the 2kg mark to be approved for shipping. International Standard delivery may take anywhere between 3-5 days while International Economy delivery can take up to 2 weeks.

Key Features:

-Royal Mail’s parcel delivery system requires users to create a business account before they start shipping. All mails and parcels are delivered at the earliest and tracked through a fully automated GPS system.

-Royal Mail accepts international shipments of upto 2kgs. They offer several different international shipping options like Business Tracked and Signed (EDD - 3-5 days), Business Standard Priority (Untracked, EDD - 3-5 days), Business Standard Economy (EDD - 10-15 days), etc.

-Royal Mail allows packages weighing upto 30kgs to be shipped under its subsidiary Parcelforce Worldwide.

3.10) J D Logistics Courier Service Provider in the World

JD Logistics is a popular courier company in ecommerce shipping. It provides cargo distribution, transportation, warehousing and other shipping services to online businesses. It operates out of China and provides comprehensive shipping and logistics solutions to online retailers all over the world. 

Key Features:

-JD Logistics provides superior land freight services through intermodal railway. It is one of the more flexible and cost-efficient ways of transporting goods from one place to another.

-JD Logistics has a team of professionals dedicated to solving LTL needs of clients. They can optimize supply chain management through time saving shipping solutions.

-JD Logistics provides excellent courier delivery service in the fields of heavy shipments like furniture, home appliances, etc. It is also equipped to deliver perishable goods like fresh produce and food.

4)How to Choose the Best Courier Company in the World for Your Online Ecommerce Store?

We can’t begin to put into words just how important having a good courier company is for any ecommerce business. A customer’s post-shipping experience is directly related to customer satisfaction. A good post-shipping experience greatly increases the chances of returning customers and customer retention.

As first responders in the logistics industry, we believe every ecommerce company should look for some of the criteria in their courier company. We have listed all the key criteria for the best courier company in the world, down below.

4.1) Number of Serviceable Regions

Serviceability refers to the number of regions or locations a courier company has reached in. Serviceability should play a huge role in deciding on a courier company. You want your courier service provider to make deliveries to as many locations as your business wants to deliver in. Additionally, it’s always better if your logistics service provider delivers to several locations because it will also give you access to a wider delivery network.

4.2) Shipping Rates

Ecommerce shipping comes with a lot of added and hidden charges. When calculating shipping rates, an online company should look for any services that come at additional costs, hidden fees or special charges. Many services offered by courier companies like Cash on Delivery, customisable packaging and label printing come at added cost. Speak to your courier service company to finalise shipping rates and clear all doubts.

4.3) Order Tracking Updates and Real-Time Tracking

A part of what makes online shopping so enjoyable is the ability to track orders all the way to your doorstep. Therefore, an online business must provide its customers the ability to track their orders in real time.

Not only that, customers should also be notified every time their order crosses a milestone like Out for Delivery, Reached Nearest Hub, etc. The ability to track orders makes customers feel empowered and builds trust and loyalty among them towards the brand.

4.4) Speedy Delivery

Thanks to Amazon, all customers today want same day or next day deliveries. While it’s not possible to make instant deliveries a reality yet, the best ecommerce companies can do is provide speedier deliveries to customers.

If superfast deliveries is something you want to offer your customers, look for courier delivery companies that provide services like hyperlocal delivery, same-day delivery, next-day delivery and last mile delivery solutions. Such deliveries can be made within a maximum of 24 to 48 hours after an order has been placed.

4.5) Specialised Shipping Services

Online businesses offering services in sectors like fashion apparel, electronics and gadgets, home furnishings, handyman services like plumbing, electrician, etc., can hugely benefit from specialized services offered by courier companies.

Many courier companies in the ecommerce segment provide specialised services like steam-ironing, assembling of gadgets and furniture, etc. Many courier companies also send their representatives to help out customers on-site. 

4.6) Shipment Management

Order management services like warehousing, inventory management and delivery management can be extremely helpful for ecommerce companies. Courier companies with such extra-shipping services can help you save up on hiring staff and renting spacious warehouses. This can lower logistics costs of shipping operations. This capital can be used by ecommerce companies to reinvest in their business.

4.7) Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics or returns management is a special shipping service where goods are picked up by courier companies from customers for return or exchange. Product returns are extremely common in online shopping.

Therefore, it only makes sense to look for returns management in your courier company. A good returns management courier company can help online stores sort out product returns, send out exchanged orders, process faster refunds and cut down the overall cost of returns.

4.8) Insurance Policy

In general, an insurance policy is always a good thing to have in a courier company. But it becomes even more important when you are an online retailer of precious stones, handcrafted jewellery or other valuable articles.

Shipping and transportation has the chance of running into losses in the form of damaged, broken or lost products. You want a cover and fall back option when something like that happens. Your terms of insurance should cover everything about how losses will be borne by the courier company and you in case of a major loss.

4.9) Cargo and Shipping Weight Limitations

All courier companies are not equipped to carry the same weight and volume of shipments as others. Cargo and weight restrictions can also apply in case of domestic and international shipping. Whenever looking for a courier company to handle your shipping, always confirm the weight and volume regulations they adhere to. Talking in advance to your courier company will help you avoid complications at the time of actual shipping.

4.10) Proof of Delivery

Order fulfillment is plagued by fake delivery attempts and delivery exceptions. Making Proof of Delivery mandatory after every order delivery should help online stores cope with missed deliveries. Proof of Delivery (PoD) is a digital agreement that is signed by the customer after they receive an order. It brings down the paperwork and also reduces the chances of delivery exceptions. All in all, it’s a good way to keep your peace while making customers happy.

Conclusion

If e-commerce companies manage the creating, selling and networking part of the business, then courier companies handle the shipping, order management and customer service. Only if both these equally important parts work together and in harmony, can online businesses really thrive. 

Ecommerce courier companies are responsible for the kind of delivery options (Same Day, Next Day, 2 Hour, Hyperlocal, On-Demand) an online retailer can provide their customers. It is also responsible for managing any mishaps that happen during the shipping process without skipping a beat so that customers still receive their orders on time. 

Choosing the right courier company for your needs is one of the most important decisions you can make. Whether you’re an ecommerce retailer trying to reduce shipping costs, a small business with a big need for fast and timely deliveries or anything in between, there are plenty of factors to take into consideration when looking at how many companies fit your requirements best. These considerations include customer service ratings, pricing models and more so that you find the perfect match. 

We hope this article helps point out some key points about choosing a courier company while also providing tips on what to look for when going through the decision-making process. Have any other questions? Let us know! Our team would love to help answer them all!

FAQs on Courier Service Providers in the World

1) Which are the top international courier companies in the world?

The top 5 international courier companies in the world are FedEx, UPS, DHL or Deutsche Post, Blue Dart and DTDC. They provide extensive shipping, fulfillment and supply chain solutions like inventory management, warehousing, pick and pack, loading and unloading, real-time order tracking, cold chain transport and more.

2) Which are the biggest delivery companies in the world?

The biggest courier delivery companies in the world are UPS, FedEx, SF Express and Deutsche Post. They deliver goods globally and provide customs clearance on arrival. They also offer shipment insurance and live tracking of orders.